UNDERDOG 1975

PUBLISHER: AMERICAN MYTHOLOGY

All Stories Written By: Steve Skeates

With Art by George Wildman

As I child, teenager and young adult I loved Underdog – with many great memories of the series. A few years ago I picked up the Complete Series Box Set, but have yet to watch it for fear that it won’t live up to my memories. Something that has happened far too often.

I have, however (oddly enough) read American Mythology’s Underdog. I’ve liked it so far.

So when Underdog 1975 was released, of course it made its way into the read pile.

According to American Mythology the first two stories in Underdog 1975 (The Rubber Duck and Dog’s Worst Enemy) are unpublished stories from what would have been issue #24 of the then Gold Key Comics Series in the 1970’s, the second half of the issue is reprint of materials from issue #23.

Here in is my problem with Underdog 1975 – it makes me want to break out that complete series box set and binge the whole thing. Yep. This is a collection of great little Underdog stories that remind me of what I loved as a kid and felt like exactly how I remember Underdog.

Of course, these stories where written back when Underdog was still fresh and still had a grasp on the people involved in the comics.

The basics are here: good writing, competent art, and a challenge for our hero to overcome. Plus a healthy little does of Underdog’s superego.

Let’s not forget the Rhyming either!


The formula is simple: A villain presents a threat (to others or Underdog himself) that Underdog must face and defeat. Sometimes he does so easily, other times he must overcome an unforeseen challenge.

Either way, easy or a challenge, he wins the day in the Underdog way!

They may seem a little simplistic to many people today, but sometimes simple is best.

In the front matter American Mythology wrote that these are some of the ‘most wonderful kids’ books ever published.’ I agree and disagree.

Children will love them, but so will adults who are still children at heart.

FINAL THOUGHTS:
“There’s no need to fear, Underdog is Here!”

Read Away, Don’t Be Sinister, Do It Today!

RATING: 8 – Required Reading!

Battlestar Galactica vs Battlestar Galactica

Publisher: Dynamite
Writer: Peter David
Artist: Johnny Desjardins
Colorist: Mohan
Letter: Taylor Esposito

When I found out here was going to be a Battlestar Crossover I thought ‘Great! More Classic BattleStar,’ at least. Peter David writing is a major plus for me.

I have to admit I am a major fan of the original. The newer version was okay, but the way they ended the series killed it completely.

No matter which series you prefer (or both for some), I can almost guarantee this first issue is not going to be what you expect. It’s sure as FRACK wasn’t anything like I thought it would be.

Straight to the point, this first issue is Classic Hour, with the New Battlestar not even touched upon until the last page. As the story goes in this first issue, it seems like what is happening in the Classic BSG leads to involving the new BSG.

How? That’s not completely clear, and maybe by design. It is Peter David writing after all, he almost always delivers in the end.

This issues features two ‘Chapters,’ the first one dealing with the Galactica, but with the Pegasus and the legendary Commander Cain. This is the part that seems to put everything in motion, as Commander Cain answers a call for help from a strange and unique planet, and finds someone waiting that may change everything.

Someone who knows who he is and the search for Earth.

A True Cylon!

In Chapter Two we join the Galactica as it is attacked by a new form of Cylon Raiders, who quickly flee with the appearance of an radiation anomaly that turns into a wormhole that swallows the Galactica.

Leading Both Adamas to wonder what the FRAK is going on?!

Some people may be disappointed that this isn’t a Star-Shattering first issue that redefines everything about both BSGs. Get over yourselves. This issues does what it is supposed to do, set the stage for what is to come, wet our appetite and makes us ask: What The Hell?

Better yet, it makes us want an answer to that question.

The script is tight and well done. My only complaint is some of the dialogue feels more New BSG then Classic.

Johnny Desjardins art is nice, but doesn’t really work as well as I would like. It feels to bombastic and overboard and remind me of early 90’s McFarlane. To me, the characters don’t look like their actor counterparts, in fact sometime they look much bigger.

Commander Cain looks nothing like Lloyd Bridges did, for example.

FINAL THOUGHT:
Overall a solid read. I’m looking forward to where this is going.

RATING: 6.5